1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to Metropolitan Council; modifying appointment process and member
1.3 qualifications for the Metropolitan Council; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,
1.4 section 473.123, subdivisions 2a, 3.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.123, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 2a.Terms.Following each apportionment of council districts, as provided under
1.8subdivision 3a, council members must be appointed from newly drawn districts as provided
1.9in subdivision 3a. Each council member, other than the chair, must reside in the council
1.10district represented. Each council district must be represented by one member of the council.
1.11The terms of members end with the term of the governor are staggered as follows: members
1.12representing an odd-numbered district have terms ending the first Monday in January of
1.13the year ending in the numeral "5" and members representing an even-numbered district
1.14have terms ending the first Monday in January in the year ending in the numeral "7."
1.15Thereafter, the term of each member is four years, with terms ending the first Monday in
1.16January, except that all terms expire on the effective date of the next apportionment. A
1.17member serves at the pleasure of the governor. A member shall continue to serve the
1.18member's district until a successor is appointed and qualified; except that, following each
1.19apportionment, the member shall continue to serve at large until the governor appoints 16
1.20council members, one from each of the newly drawn council districts as provided under
1.21subdivision 3a, to serve terms as provided under this section. The appointment to the council
1.22must be made by the first Monday in March of the year in which the term ends.
1Section 1.
REVISOR MS H1329-1HF1329 FIRST ENGROSSMENT
40
Printed
Page No.State of Minnesota
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in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1329
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Koznick and Bakeberg02/20/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations
Adoption of Report: Placed on the General Register as Amended03/03/2025
Read for the Second Time 2.1 EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION; TRANSITION.(a) This section is effective
2.2for appointments made on or after January 1, 2026, and applies in the counties of Anoka,
2.3Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
2.4 (b) Each member serving on the Metropolitan Council on the effective date of this section
2.5shall continue to serve until the member's successor is appointed and qualified.
2.6 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.123, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.7 Subd. 3.Membership; appointment; qualifications.(a) Sixteen members must be
2.8appointed by the governor from districts defined by this section. Each council member must
2.9reside in the council district represented. Each council district must be represented by One
2.10member of the council must represent each council district.
2.11 (b) In addition to the notice required by section 15.0597, subdivision 4, notice of
2.12vacancies and expiration of terms must be published in newspapers of general circulation
2.13in the metropolitan area and the appropriate districts. The governing bodies of the statutory
2.14and home rule charter cities, counties, and towns having territory in the district for which
2.15a member is to be appointed must be notified in writing. Within ten days of submitting
2.16notice to the secretary of state as required by section 15.0597, subdivision 4, the notice must
2.17be provided through electronic means to the governing bodies of the statutory and home
2.18rule charter cities, counties, and towns having territory in the district for which a member
2.19is to be appointed. Notices must also be provided to organizations representing the interests
2.20of local governments within the metropolitan area that have notified the secretary of state
2.21that they would like to receive notice. The notices required by this section must describe
2.22include a description of the appointments process and a detailed position description that
2.23includes the required skills, expected time commitment, and connection to the district; and
2.24must invite participation and recommendations on the appointment.
2.25 (c) The governor shall create a nominating committee, composed of seven metropolitan
2.26citizens appointed by the governor, to nominate persons for appointment to the council from
2.27districts. Three of the committee members must be local elected officials. The governor
2.28must appoint three members. The Association of Metropolitan Municipalities must appoint
2.29five members to represent cities. The Association of Minnesota Counties must appoint seven
2.30members to represent counties and each member must be from each county represented by
2.31the Metropolitan Council.
2.32 (d) The nominating committee must actively seek out and encourage qualified individuals
2.33to apply for a council member position. The nominating committee shall seek input from:
2Sec. 2.
REVISOR MS H1329-1HF1329 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 3.1 (1) the governing bodies of the statutory and home rule charter cities, counties, and
3.2towns having territory in the district for which a member is to be appointed; and
3.3 (2) organizations representing the interests of local governments within the metropolitan
3.4area.
3.5 (e) Following the submission of applications as provided under section 15.0597,
3.6subdivision 5, the nominating committee shall conduct public meetings, after appropriate
3.7notice, to accept statements from or on behalf of persons who have applied or been nominated
3.8for appointment and to allow consultation with and secure the advice of the public and local
3.9elected officials. The committee shall hold the meeting on each appointment in the district
3.10or in a reasonably convenient and accessible location in the part of the metropolitan area in
3.11which the district is located. The committee may consolidate meetings. Following the
3.12meetings, the committee shall submit to the governor a list of nominees up to three finalists
3.13for each appointment. The nominating committee shall publish and provide notice of the
3.14names and qualifications of each of the finalists in the same manner in which the notice of
3.15vacancy was published and provided. The governor must not make an appointment until at
3.16least 14 calendar days after the names of the finalists have been published and after the
3.17nominating committee has provided an opportunity for public comment. The governor is
3.18not required to appoint from the list but must consult with the nominating committee before
3.19appointing a member not included in the nominating committee's list of three finalists. If
3.20the governor rejects the nominating committee's three finalists, the governor must, in writing,
3.21provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for the rejection.
3.22 (d) (f) Before making an appointment, the governor shall consult with all members of
3.23the legislature from the council district for which the member is to be appointed.
3.24 (e) (g) Appointments to the council are subject to the advice and consent of the senate
3.25as provided in section 15.066.
3.26 (f) (h) Members of the council must be appointed to reflect fairly the various
3.27demographic, political, and other interests in the metropolitan area and each of the districts.
3.28 (g) (i) Members of the council must be persons knowledgeable about urban and
3.29metropolitan affairs. Members must have relevant experience in areas including but not
3.30limited to local government, transportation, housing, environment, and regional development.
3.31Members appointed to the council must be able to meet time commitments required by the
3.32position including attending council meetings, attending community meetings, and
3.33completing other job duties.
3Sec. 2.
REVISOR MS H1329-1HF1329 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 4.1 (h) (j) Any vacancy in the office of a council member shall immediately be filled for
4.2the unexpired term. In filling a vacancy, the governor may forgo the requirements of
4.3paragraph (c) if the governor has made appointments in full compliance with the requirements
4.4of this subdivision within the preceding 12 months.
4.5 EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.This section is effective for appointments
4.6made on or after January 1, 2026, and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota,
4.7Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
4Sec. 2.
REVISOR MS H1329-1HF1329 FIRST ENGROSSMENT